Toy rocket launcher



June 29, 1965 J. c. CHALMERS TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER Filed April 19, 1962 INVENTOR. c/AMZJ C U/AM/[EJ W I ATTORNEY-s.

United States Patent 3,191,342 TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER James C. (Ilialrners, 20 De Savery Crescent,

Toronto 7, ()'nta'rio, Canada Filed Apr. 19, 1962, Star; No. 188,801 1 Claim. ((31. 46-74) This invention relates to a toy rocket launcher and has as its primary object the provision of an inexpensive and simple toy by means of which a projectile or rocket may be readily launched and which will travel a relatively long distance but strike with alight impact.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is comprised externally of a simple tube, having a trigger mechanism adjacent one end, which can be readily. concealed in hand with the trigger being pressed with the tumb, so as to institute the elements of surprise in its use, a feature which is particularly important to play with devices of this character. a I A furtherobject of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which employs a spring of relatively large diameter, small gauge and wide pitch, since the force of the thrust depends more on the wide pitch than on the gauge of .the spring.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which permits the use of a rocket or projectile whose main body can be of a relatively large diameter towards its front end and tapering towards the rear, allowing the use of wide fins, thus providing a means in the rocket o'r projectile for a relatively straight course in flight. I

Still another object of the invention is the provision of ribs interior of the launching tube, forming an enclosure or receptacle annularly encompassing a compression spring and a rocket or projectile, which are so positioned as to permit the penetration of the fins providing a means for a relatively straight course in flight therebetween, the ribs thereby serving as a guide for the widest diameter of the rocket.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the toy rocket or the like is provided with a soft rubber cap, for the purpose of preventing injury to an individual or object struck thereby.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of toy rocket launcher embodying the instant inventive concept, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG- URE 1, taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG- URE l.

31,1 9 l Patented June 29, 1965 ice Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of thejinstantinvention is comprised of an elongated tubular member 10, which is provided. internally with four radially disposed ribs 12 which extend upwardly a substantial distance from the base 13 of the tube. The ribs present an interiorly disposed annular enclosure or receptacle for annularly encompassing or containing a spring 19 and rocket 30. Addtionally, the ribs are reduced in diameter as at 14 adjacent the uppermost portion of the device, for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

One, 12a, of the ribs 12 is separated at its uppermost portion, as best shown in FIGURE 3, to accommodate a latch mechanism or trigger mechanism, generally indicated at 15, and to be more fully described hereinafter.

The bottom plate 13 is provided with a slot 16, which which is provided with a high edge portion 17, as best shown in FIGURE 5 and the looped end 19a of a coil spring 19 is adapted to be inserted through the slot 16 so that when lifted over the high edge 17 of the slot, it drops into a channel 18 in the outer face of the bottom closure 13, the channel being on one side only, so as to insure full protection of the end 19a of the spring 19' and to prevent the looped end from edging to slot position and allowing spring 19 to disassociate itself from bottom plate 13 when rocket is being ejected. Spring 19 extends sub- .stantially for the full length of the tube 10 when expanded, and is of relatively large diameter, light gauge material with a wide pitch providing a forceful thrust but a light impact.

Adjacent the opposite end of a tube is raised lug 20, which is provided with a transverse opening 21 through which extends a pivot pin 22. The pin 22 also extends through depending lugs 23 of a trigger plate 24, the latter being biased outwardly by a light coil spring 25. The end of trigger plate 24 is elongated and angularly disposed as best shown at 26 and extends through a slot 27 in the side wall of the tube 10.

The projectile or rocket of the instant invention as generally indicated at 30, includes a tapered body portion 31 provided with diametrically opposed fins 32, which are so arranged as to seat between the ribs 12, a round base portion 33 being provided to enter the top of compression spring 19 while the bottom portion of fins 32 engage the spring to compress it.

Adjacent one end of the thickened body portion 30 is an annular groove 34 which is adapted to be engaged by the end 35 of the trigger projection 26.

A rim or flange 36 is provided to contact a shoulder 37 formed by the reduction in thickness of the ribs 12 and 12a to prevent undue insertion of the rocket into tube 10, it being noted that the split in the rib 12a occurs immediately adjacent to the trigger plate 24.

The nose 38 of the rocket or missile may be comprised of any suitable material, such as soft rubber or the like, to preclude damage on impact.

In the use and operation of the device the missile 30 is inserted tail first into the tube 10, the bottom portion 32 thereof compresses the spring 19, until such time as the channel :or groove 34 is in line with the end 35 of trigger projection 26. At this time the upward force of the spring 25 causes the end 35 to bite into groove 34, and in this locked position the forward pressure of spring 19 affords further locking security as it forces the side of groove 34 firmly against trigger projection 26, which is supported by the angular end of lug 20, thus precluding the possibility of inadvertent release of the missile unless the trigger plate 24 is struck or depressed. Upon such depression, which may be effected by the thumb, with the tube being relatively fully concealed in the hand of the user, the compression force of the spring 19 ejects the projectile or missile 30 with considerable force, immediately upon release of the end 35 of trigger. projection 26 from the groove 34. The fins 32 present a means providing or producing a relatively straight course of flight, as pointed out above. As also pointed out above, the ribs -12 present an annular housing for the spring 19 and the rocket 30 at the widest diameter thereof. Thus, cocking or wobbling of the spring is precluded and the rocket 30 is guided, at the widest diameter thereof, as it leaves the tube .10.

It is to be understood that any of the components of the article may be comprised of metal, for long wear, or,

alternatively of plastic, for ease and simplicity of manu- .facture, with the exception of a nose cap of the projectile, which, as above stated, is preferably of soft rubber or similar material which will not occasion damage to an object when struck thereby.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved toy rocket launcher which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility,

.and relativelyhigh entertainment value.

. i and secured in said slot, a plurality ofradial ribs interiorly of said tube, said ribs defining an enclosure annularly encompassing said spring and said tapered rocket at the Widest diameter thereof, thereby guiding said rocket at the widest diameter thereof as it leaves said tube, a projection on the outer side of said tube adjacent the open end thereof, a spring biased trigger place pivotally mounted on said projection, said tube having a side opening therein adjacent said projection, an angularly disposed tongue on said trigger plate extended through said side opening engaging said toy. rocket in said tube, said rocket includihg tail fins adapted to be positioned between said ribs, a soft nose, a groove engageable by the end of said tongue, said ribs being reduced in thickness adjacent the open end of said tube forming a shoulder and said rocket having a rim thereon which contacts said shoulder to prevent excessive insertion er the rocket into said tube.

References fitted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 600,712 3/98 Brown. r 1,297,344 3/ 19 Glass 12426 X 2,384,166 9/45 Hanna. 2,445,812 7/48 Wallach 124-30 2,537,754 1/51 Hanshaw 124-26 X 2,918,751 12/59 Johnson 46-74 FOREIGN PATENTS 619,289 9/35 Germany.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. LEONARD w. VARNER, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,191,342 June 29, 1965 James C. Chalmers It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 18, strike out "which"; column 4, line 7, for "place" read plate Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

